In a striking move to preserve San Diego's natural heritage, the San Diego River Park Foundation has acquired a significant parcel of land housing the county's highest waterfall, Mildred Falls. The foundation announced this week that over 250 donors contributed to raising more than $300,000, enabling them to purchase the 58-acre property from a private owner, securing public trust and the protection of local wildlife, Times of San Diego reported.
Mildred Falls, known for its dramatic 300-foot drop and as part of the critical Ritchie Creek, which feeds into the San Diego River, now stands conserved thanks to the collective efforts of the community; this includes individuals like Matthias Blume, a dedicated donor and volunteer for the foundation who said, "Supporting this acquisition is literally a high point of my life," Alexa Lewis-Rosenfeld, the foundation's philanthropy and communications manager, told Times of San Diego.
According to an Instagram post by the SD River Park Foundation, the foundation is not only celebrating the protection of Mildred Falls but is also looking ahead; they've received an additional pledge from a nature conservationist to match up to $10,000 in donations for their Land Acquisition fund, doubling the impact of future contributions aimed at conserving critical habitats.
The San Diego River Park Foundation's efforts, spanning 23 years and resulting in over 2,600 acres of land conserved, are focused on safeguarding the region's globally significant ecosystems, and this purchase of Mildred Falls is part of their enduring commitment to environmental stewardship and providing public access to these natural wonders. "One of the most inspiring things for me is just to know that this land will be conserved forever, and its use will only be to protect it and conserve it for the wildlife," Lewis-Rosenfeld expressed in a reflection highlighting both the importance and emotional significance of the conservation work, the foundation’s immediate priorities are land stewardship and ensuring safe public access to these cherished spaces, as she told Times of San Diego.
